Alan Gurley-Coroner-Monroe County MS

09/03/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month.

Approximately 134 people every day. Another 14.3 million adults seriously considered su***de, and an estimated 2.2 million attempted su***de.

Those of us who work in medicolegal death investigation understand that these numbers are not simply statistics.

Each one represents a person, a family, a community, and a life story that mattered.

Su***de prevention begins before a crisis. It begins when we check on one another, listen without judgment, recognize changes, take concerns seriously, and remind people that asking for help is not weakness.

If you are struggling - or worried about someone else - call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You matter. Your life matters. Your story is not over.

Statistics: CDC Su***de Data⁠
Support: 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline⁠

***dePreventionMonth ***deAwareness

08/30/2026

MONROE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE — 24/7 CONTACT INFORMATION

The Monroe County Coroner’s Office is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling our official office number directly:

📞 662-369-4557

This number is answered by a live operator 24/7 who has our current contact and on-call information. The operator will immediately notify the coroner or deputy coroner who is on call.

This number may be used to report a death or contact our office by anyone who needs our assistance, including:

Fire Services
Members of the public and families
Hospitals, nursing homes, hospice agencies, and other medical providers
Law enforcement agencies
Funeral homes
Other agencies or professionals

Our office number can also be found by searching “Monroe County Mississippi Coroner” online or by visiting the official Monroe County, Mississippi website shown below.

Alan Gurley-Chief Coroner
Bobby Cleveland-Chief Deputy Coroner
Leigh Ann Minga-Deputy Coroner
Norman Smith-Deputy Coroner

Coroner Gurley began working in the funeral business in 1979 in Monroe County and in law enforcement in 1981. He began one of four stints with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in 1988 and became interested in the job of coroner working there with the coroner at that time who was chief deputy...

08/29/2026

From Monroe County Coroner's Office-Name of deceased:
Amariontae Gates, age 22 of Houston.

From the office of Chief Bowen
On Friday August 28, 2026, at 9:58 pm, Amory PD received a call of shots being fired in the area of E Avenue in Amory. While officers were responding, further information came in that a subject was on E Avenue suffering from gun shot wounds. Officers arrived on the scene and administered medical aid until EMS arrived. The victim unfortunately did not survive. At 10:18 pm, Amory Police dispatch was advised of a second gunshot victim located at NMMC Gilmore Emergency room. Officers responded to the hospital and determined this victim was also injured at the location on E Avenue. The victim was later transferred to NMMC Hospital in Tupelo is serious condition. The Amory Police Department is asking the public to call with any information they may have involving this case. The Amory Police Department Investgation division can be reached by calling 662-256-2676 or you can call Golden Triangle Crimestoppers at 1-800-530-7151 and remain anonymous. More information will be released at a later time. We appreciate the quick response and assistance of the Amory Fire Department Monroe County, Ms Sheriff’s Department and Medstat Ambulance Service.
We ask that you join us in praying for all those affected by this terrible incident.

08/04/2026

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mississippi/jobs/5433834/forensic-laboratory-scientist-i

About the Position
This job opportunity is in the Medical Examiner's Office in OXFORD, MS, in LAFAYETTE COUNTY. The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Examiner Assistant shall be but not limited to maintaining the chain of custody of all evidence. This will include human remains, DNA, fingerprints, clothing, projectiles, toxicology specimens, gunshot residue (GSR), sexual assault, and nail clippings. Prepare all required paperwork needed for pathology/Anthropology/odontology documentation along with the creation of all case folders/packets for autopsy. The organization of incoming and outgoing cases and knowledge of all documentation needed after death (Autopsy permits, Death investigation forms, Death certificates, etc.). Be able to communicate information between ME office and Funeral Home and/or Transport agencies. Fingerprinting of all decedents that come to the office for autopsy. Work involves forensic photography of: human remains, clothing, and evidence. The collection of all required specimens for toxicological, chemistry or other ancillary testing, and radiology- multiple x-rays of human remains. Be able to maintain case and patient confidentiality as well as dignity of the deceased. Have extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body along with assisting with external and internal examinations of human remains. Anatomical dissection and removal of internal organs, projectiles, foreign bodies, etc. as directed by supervising pathologist. Work involves demonstrating proficiency in the ME electronic casefile system (Currently Justice Trax), (MDIlog), (Excel). Be able to assist in scientific identifications though: DNA, dental, fingerprints, and surgical hardware.

What you'll need to be Successful
Critical Thinking; Good Laboratory Practices; Observation and Attention to Detail; Computer Proficiency

Preferred Qualifications
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree related to forensic, chemical, physical, or biological science and 0-2 years of experience. Specific degree and/or certification requirements based on assigned unit.

No description

07/31/2026

https://www.wcbi.com/medical-examiners-office-opens-in-north-mississippi/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTY17BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecBtrFfcGfYdZ1evjFty5lF-8iqr0r0dZp-dVQF1EZmBa2SwY-UYTS_jLaww_aem_Pc1P18aKbBHUQ9XqeDctlQ

Thursday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the state's Oxford Medical Examiner's Office.

07/30/2026

This morning, Deputy Coroner Bobby Cleveland and I had the opportunity to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Oxford location of the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office.

To be honest, I never thought I would live to see this day. This new facility is a tremendous investment in Mississippi's death investigation system and will better serve coroners, law enforcement, prosecutors, and, most importantly, the families of our state.

Pictured in the top photo are Commissioner Sean Tindell (holding the scissors), District Attorney Jason Herring, and me during the ceremony.

07/22/2026

The Monroe County Coroner's Office was notified at 9:42 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, by staff at Monroe Regional Hospital in Aberdeen regarding the death of an individual who had been transported from the Monroe County Detention Center.
Upon our arrival at the emergency room, we were advised that the individual had arrived without signs of life and was pronounced deceased by the emergency room physician at 9:44 p.m.
The deceased has been identified as:
Spencer Eckford, 66, of Aberdeen.
In accordance with Mississippi law and standard protocol, Mr. Eckford's body has been transported to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office in Pearl for an autopsy, which is required in all deaths involving individuals who were in custody.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is leading the investigation into this incident. Any additional questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

07/21/2026

This is something I've hoped to see throughout my entire career as Monroe County Coroner.

For more than 35 years, every case requiring the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office assistance has meant a trip to Pearl or Biloxi. That drive from the Monroe County Coroner's Office is approximately 183 miles one way to Pearl.

With the new Medical Examiner's Office in Oxford, that distance is reduced to just 73 miles from my office.

This is a tremendous improvement for North Mississippi. It will save valuable time, reduce travel, lower transportation costs, and ultimately help us serve families more efficiently during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

This is a positive step forward for our region, and I'm grateful to finally see it become a reality.

07/17/2026

Aberdeen Man Dies Following Fall from Tree
Monroe County Coroner's Office is investigating the death of Randy Thomas Dixon, 62, of Aberdeen, following an accident Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 5:24 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, emergency responders were dispatched to a residence in the Quincy Community on Highway 278 East of Amory, where Mr. Dixon had fallen while removing a tree.
According to witnesses at the scene, Mr. Dixon was working approximately 50 feet above the ground when he fell from the tree.
He was transported by ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center-Gilmore in Amory, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The cause of death has been determined to be multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the fall.
The incident remains under investigation by OSHA who was notified.